Softball Team Honored by NFCA For Highest Team GPA
St. Louis, Mo., September 30, 2010 – The Washington University in St. Louis softball team has been recognized by the National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for having the highest grade-point average among all NCAA Division III teams for the 2009-10 academic year.
The organization released its 2010 Girls Got Game/NFCA Top Ten All-Academic Team rankings for all collegiate and high school programs on Wednesday. The Washington University softball team posted a cumulative GPA of 3.549 last year, to take the top spot among all Division III programs.
"What a tremendous honor! These young ladies have demonstrated the uncanny ability to achieve academic excellence while navigating the rigorous academic demands placed on students here at Washington University," said Washington University head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutté. "Whether they are in the classroom or on the softball diamond, their work ethic is tremendous. I am very proud of all the young ladies that have been a part of this softball program and their commitment to academic excellence while here at Washington University. This award is a true testament to the level of excellence that these young ladies have set for themselves.”
The Girls Got Game Academic Award program honored both collegiate and high school teams for their submitted GPAs during the 2009-10 academic year. In addition to the team award, all student-athletes who achieved a 3.50 GPA during the last academic year are named as Girls Got Game/NFCA Scholar-Athletes.
Eight student-athletes from Washington University earned the Girls Got Game/NFCA Scholar-Athlete Award: Ashley Janssen, Caitlyn Hoffman, Carter Malouf, Claire Voris, Kathy Peter, Megan Fieser, Rebecca Salisbury and Sondra Polonsky.
Washington University completed the 2010 season with a 37-11 overall record, and placed third at the 2010 NCAA Division III Central Region. The 37 wins tie for the second most in school history. The Bears also placed second in the University Athletic Association (UAA) with a 5-3 mark.